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Although I was not brought up in the war , or took part, I was privalaged to have met many people who had, and sometimes they would tell me some tit-bits of information. But also it gave me valuable insight into their character and their values.

1. Code of silence was integral amongst this generation who took part in the conflict. Walls have ears. Careless talk cost’s life. The prospect of torture often meant that silence and miss-information was a reflex and integrated behaviour pattern. Also the Official Secrets Act and the fact that any amount of military information, no matter how small, could jeopardise the Nations security, even years after.

2. Because many operations were designed to confuse the enemy, even some official military records may not be entirely accurate for all serving military personnel. For instance, it may be on a person’s record that they served as a water tanker driver. But they may have also driven ambulances and other trucks. They may also have driven jeeps and landrovers taking officers about their business, which in itself would open up a whole new category of experiences, even to Long Range Desert Group activity, or Sea — Borne landings like at Tobruk. Or even in some cases in Air-Borne operations etc.

3. The memories could be too painful, remembering fallen comrades, or torture victims. So it is quite possible that some may not wish to re-activate these parts.

4. Propaganda and hate played a big part in National motivation, even many decades after the ending of the war. So therefore care must be taken less the psychological reflex’s get activated.

A war veteran once told me how he was a regimental boxer, and was highly respected, he became a sergeant in a Hussar Tank Unit, and he recited how at some times the soldiers and tank crews would be given specially adapted drugs to keep them awake. This was so that they could operate their tanks across country in a relentless operation against the enemy. But after the orders to rest were given, and the drugs withdrawn, they feel asleep uncontrolled, instant, and sometimes for days.

Another story was related to me about the event on Crete.
Stuka’s dive bombed, Paratroopers came pouring out of the sky. The German Paratrooper at this time was viewed to be the most elite, the toughest and yet, despite this valuable military asset of the Germans, this action in Crete was deemed to have taken the sting out of this armed body of men. Such was their high casualty rate in this operation against a real stalwart army of British and Commonwealth troops, such a high risk paratroop drop by the enemy was never again attempted. So fierce was the fighting, so determined by both sides to win and gain ground. Finally the Allied Army had to succumb to this onslaught and evacuation had to be organised from Crete and Greece. But the interesting point in this particular story is that the war veteran who was amongst the final ones to evacuate, mentioned that as he made for the boats and coast, he encountered a band ( platoon Or other number ) of ‘Royal Marines’ . Who, instead of retreating towards the boats, had been landed deliberately, and were making their way inland, to combat the German Forces. I have often wondered, did these gallant few survive? Did they succeed in their mission. Such was the attitudes and attributes in these times. A simple piece of history I also found out locally in my home area of Beaumont Leys. Is that there once was an electrical and battery production factory based here, now to be lost and buried underground.

‘This story was submitted to the Peoples war site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of self, and has been added to the site with his permission.. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions’.

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